FCC approves white space plan [Telecom]

On November 4, the Federal Communications Commission unanimously approved a plan to make "white space" available for wireless broadband applications. White space is the vacant spectrum space between broadcast television channels.

This has been a contentious proceeding. Television broadcasters opposed it because of possible interference to digital television broadcasts. Cable television operators opposed it for two reasons: possible interference to television broadcast signals received off-air at their headends, and interference to settop converter output- channels.

Wireless microphone users opposed it, again because of possible interference. Ironically, wireless microphone users utilize that very same white space for their own operations. However, they (usually) coordinate their operations with local broadcasters to avoid interference conflicts. The Society of Broadcast Engineers has been designated by the FCC as the coordinator; every SBE chapter serves as coordinator for wireless microphone users within its TV market.

But numerous potential users supported the proposal, including Consumers Union, the Media Access Project, the Consumer Federation of America, and, notably, Google. Google co-founder Larry Page was one of the leading advocates.

Bibliography:

"FCC Approves Wireless Use of 'White Space'" by Ira Teinowitz, TV Week, November 4, 2008

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"Google leader sees green in white space" by Ryan Kim, San Francisco Chronicle, Friday, November 7, 2008
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"NAB Statement on Today's FCC Ruling On White Spaces." Press release by National Association of Broadcasters, Washington, November 4, 2008
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"FCC Gets White Space Test Results" by Tom Smith, SBE Chapter 24 Newsletter, November 2008. Smith is the frequency coordinator for SBE Chapter 24, in Madison, Wisconsin.
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Neal McLain

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Neal McLain
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